How do you WISH you had spent your first 2 days & nights in Dublin?
And how did you ACTUALLY spend them, in reality?
This is a serious question, despite the silly faces I couldn't resist adding. My husband and I will get our very first taste of Dublin city in September. It's our second trip to Ireland, but our very first visit to Dublin as we skipped Dublin on our first trip.
We will have 2 days and 2 nights in Dublin at the end of our September trip.
Look forward to hearing your answers! I might post a similar question on other forums as well, so I hope I don't wear out tony2phones! Here's one for you, tony2phones, with my sincere thanks for all your help.
We landed early on Easter Monday, took the Aircoach to City Centre and checked in at Buswells Hotel.We were early but they were gracious to let us check in and to upgrade us to a suite at the top of the house.We would definitely stay there again as it was quiet and within walking distance to most of the city.We had our first Irish Coffee outside of the US and scones too at the hotel restaurant yummy!
We ventured out on foot to Trinity College, so pretty and green, and went to see the Book of Kells.Took lots of photos at the college and saw a cricket practice there.Went back to the hotel for a quick nap, then out to dinner at Sam Saras where we had the best chips (French fries) and mussels ever.Walked to Temple Bar where we had a Guinness in a pub.OMG it really is better in Ireland.Walked across the Hapenny Bridge and took in the sights and sounds of Dublin.We could not believe that we were actually here at last.Walked back to the hotel and finished the night off with another Irish Coffee there.
Tuesday took us to the hop on hop off bus and then to Kilmainham Gaol where we had the best tour guide who taught us much about the history of Ireland.Highly recommend this tour.Then on to the Guinness Storehouse, we had heard this was too touristy but we really enjoyed the exhibits and spent a lot of time there topped off with another Guinness from the mothership too good.Talked with the bartender there who had hiked Mount Everest and was going back soon.We asked if the mountains we saw in the background were the Mourne and he said no they were just hills and the Mountains of Mourne were proper mountains. We had lunch in a pub in Quays Bar with Sean of Tipperary as our bartender.Rode around Dublin on the hop on hop off bus saw Christ Church Cathedral, Molly Malone, St Stephens Green, Georgian doors, the Spire.We rested with another Guinness at Messrs. Maguire since that is my family name and enjoyed being part of the crowd hooting and hollering over an Irish football match.Sounded just like the NCAA tournament back home.We walked along the Liffey one last time, so pretty and romantic at night.Headed back to Buswells for a good nights sleep before we had to leave Dublin to try to see the rest of Ireland in the next 12 days.What a good problem to have!
I believe we experienced Dublin as much as we could in the time we had.We surely would love to go back and see more but we had a simply wonderful time there.I hope you will as well.
hammsb: I really enjoyed reading the details of your stay in Dublin...it sounds like you really enjoyed it and fit in a lot of fun and also learning experiences! I like to hear everyone's true impressions. Some tourists don't enjoy Dublin and I don't mind hearing from them too. But it's refreshing to hear from somebody who did enjoy Dublin! I hope we enjoy Dublin too.
Right now I've got the Chieftains on my CD player as I'm getting some things done about my house...and dreaming of Ireland!
Regarding Buswell's: I'm curious to know exactly which room you had as you said it was quiet. If you don't know the room number can you describe the type and location of your room? Did you have air conditioning? A/C can sometimes help as it allows one to close the windows against some street noise. (I'm a light sleeper.) Thanks!
Right now we have reservations for The Merrion hotel in central Dublin...we did get a special price which includes breakfast and free parking in the Garden Wing, but I find myself wondering if its worth the price...its definitely the most expensive room I've booked for our trip to IReland in September. I will probably keep the room since it's so close now to September that I'm tired of researching accommodations. I want to enjoy hearing about fun things to do in Dublin and IReland! I did have a hard time locating a quiet room to sleep in noisy Dublin.
-- Edited by Melissa5 on Wednesday 10th of August 2011 04:03:53 PM
